Home/Newbery by Year/Newbery Title Index/Newbery Subject Index/Newbery Author Index

1953

Editor's Note: Many of the books are out of print. The header information will be as complete as I can make it.

Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark (Econo-Clad, $12.25, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 0785772456.	The Medalist A young Incan boy who lives high in the Andes tending llama with an old man learns that he is the descendant of ancient Mayan kings and that he must carry on the traditions of his culture, destroyed by the Spanish. Themes of loneliness and bravery. Story is slow and sometimes so obtuse it loses its appeal. Works with the picture book Chancay and the Secret of Fire or the Newbery honor book The Dark Star of Itza.
"Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White (HarperCollins, $19.96, fourth-grade level). ISBN: 0060282983.	Honor Book A young girl befriends a runt pig and raises him as a pet. The barnyard comes alive, and the animals, led by Charlotte the spider, conspire to make Wilbur a special pig so that the farmer won't turn him into bacon. Excellent story of friendship, sacrifice, independence, grief, death. Not bad zoology lesson and adjective/adverb practice, either. Strong commentary on human gullibility and the power of suggestion.
Moccasin Trail by Eloise Jarvis McGraw (Econo-Clad, $12.25, fifth-grade level). ISBN: 0833581279.	Honor Book A boy runs away from home in the mid-1800s, joins with a mountain man, is later raised by Indians and adopts their ways until he eventually rejoins his siblings and tries to settle down to a life of farming in Oregon. Extremely exciting action sequences. Nice bits of history from the Mountain Man era. Teen-agers who have trouble fitting in may identify with this child. May not be politically correct because the boy character often says harsh things about certain Native American tribes.
Red Sails to Capri by Ann Weil (fifth-grade level). Out of print	Honor Book A young boy and his father lead a group of brave tourists into the once-feared cove that holds the Blue Grotto on Capri. Sappy story that modern kids will find boring. It's a long haul for a short payoff.
The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh (Econo-Clad, $12.25, fourth-grade level). ISBN: 0833598767.	Honor Book A 10-year-old makes a few silly mistakes while fetching a pot for his mother and then has to hide beneath it while waiting for help. Among the weaker of the Newbery books.
Birthdays of Freedom, Volume 1 by Genevieve Foster (Charles Scribner's Sons, fourth-grade level). Out of print	Honor Book The author provides an concise and all-too-brief overview of the history of civilization with an eye to emphasizing the growth of democracy. This book provides a broad overview of key moments in the development of civilization, but Foster's view of history doesn't meet modern standards. In addition, the illustrations are bizarre by modern, one would hope all, standards.

Copyright David Ross 2003